When the Ravens traded for quarterback Steve McNair in the offseason, no player on the roster anticipated his arrival quite like tight end Todd Heap.
Heap knew McNair always found a way to get the ball to tight end Frank Wycheck when both played for the Tennessee Titans, and Heap had no doubt he could develop the same chemistry with the 12-year veteran.
Though it took some time this season, the Ravens? offense has started to improve on a weekly basis, especially since head coach Brian Billick took over the offensive coordinator duties from Jim Fassel a little more than a month ago.
Heap has certainly benefited from the Ravens? offensive gains. He currently leads the team with 51 catches for 535 yards and is tied with running back Jamal Lewis for the touchdown lead with six. Heap?s most recent score came in Baltimore?s 27-0 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With 10:26 left in the first quarter, McNair hit Heap for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Ravens a 7-0 lead and the only points they?d need.
“It was a good play ? good play-call, good throw by Steve,” Heap said. “Everything fell into place on that one. You know, it?s good to get up early on a team like that. The last few weeks, we haven?t got to a good start. So to get up early this week and really make a stamp on the game, that opened it up for us, and we were really able to shut them down the rest of the game.”
For McNair, Heap represents a safe option on nearly every passing play. McNair has also made Heap an even more dangerous threat by getting a wide range of skill position players involved in the offense. McNair connected with eight different players for at least one reception each Sunday.
“I think week in and week out, we?re getting better,” McNair said. “We?re not that explosive offense. I think we did well executing today. We had some mishaps, but we overcame that. I think that?s the sign of a great team. We?ve just got to continue to get better week in and week out.”
Heap said McNair?s ability to spread the ball around has not only made him a better tight end, but has also made it more difficult for opposing defenses to prepare for the Ravens.
“We used to have just one or two options on offense and now we have everyone involved,” Heap said. “That?s tough to prepare for.”
HEAP NOTES
» Through Sunday?s games, Todd Heap was second in the NFL in receptions among tight ends with 51 catches for 535 yards. He trails only Cleveland?s Kellen Winslow, who has 66.
» Heap earned selections to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003. In each of those seasons, he led the Ravens in receptions. He totaled 68 catches for 836 yards in 2002 and 57 for 693 in 2003.
